Associate Professor Roberto Rovira, ASLA and alumnus Jose M. Alvarez, Associate ASLA (FIU MLA ’13) were considered this year as two of six landscape architects to focus on at the third annual American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA)Diversity Summit. They have been recognized during National Hispanic Heritage Month, which is the four weeks between September 15th and October 15th. ASLA has highlighted their contributions both within and outside of the landscape architecture profession.

Professor Rovira and Jose participated in the July 2015 ASLA Diversity Summit. Professor Rovira reflected on the event, “The ASLA Diversity Summit gave us a forum through which to share ideas about the future of the profession and its great potential for Hispanics. As an educator, practitioner, and Latino, I value the opportunity to contribute to the dialogue and meaningfully participate in the evolution and growth of our profession.”

The ASLA Diversity Summit emphasized the following Hispanic and Latino American designers in the profession of landscape architecture:

Roberto Rovira, ASLA. Rovira is the principal of Studio Roberto Rovira Inc. in Miami and chair of the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental and Urban Design at Florida International University. He has been lead designer in national and international projects in the United States, Latin America and the Middle East, and his work ranges from installations to urban projects.

Melissa Henao-Robledo, ASLA. Henao-Robledo works as a business development representative for outdoor furniture company Landscape Forms, serving the Austin, Texas, area. Henao-Robledo has spent the last several years promoting the landscape architecture profession to minorities in Austin through the Latinos in Architecture and DesignVoice committees of the American Institute of Architects.

Bianca Paz Ribadenieira, ASLA. Paz Ribadenieira is a landscape designer for the parks and recreation department of St. Paul, Minnesota. She had previously spent six years in international design practice, including in Ecuador and Spain.

Diana Fernandez, Associate ASLA. Fernandez is a landscape architect with Sasaki Associates in Boston. Fernandez has been recognized many times for exceptional leadership, and has received four ASLA student awards, including a 2011 ASLA Student Honor Award in the Analysis and Planning Category and a 2013 ASLA Student Award of Excellence in the Communications Category.

Carolina Carvajal, ASLA. Carvajal, a native of Colombia, joined Carol R. Johnson Associates Landscape Architects in 2011. She has been a key project team member on projects in the United States and abroad, and has developed particular expertise in community outreach and engagement.

Jose M.Alvarez, Associate ASLA. Alvarez is a landscape designer with EDSA Inc. in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He has developed a unique understanding of tropical and subtropical landscapes in areas including South Florida, the Caribbean and South America. He has been recognized with awards of merit in 2011 and 2012 by the Florida Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

ASLA’s Spanish-language materials include an introduction to the profession and Society on the ASLA website and fact sheet.

Founded in 1899, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) is the national professional association for landscape architects, representing more than 15,000 members in 49 professional chapters and 72 student chapters. Members of the Society use “ASLA” after their names to denote membership and their commitment to the highest ethical standards of the profession. Landscape architects lead the stewardship, planning and design of our built and natural environments; the Society’s mission is to advance landscape architecture through advocacy, communication, education and fellowship.